I’ve mentioned here before that the hero of my WIP is a chef.  He’s recently purchased a restaurant and put everything he has into making it a success.  The irony of me writing a book about a chef is that I don’t really cook.  I mean, I make things like baked chicken, spaghetti, and several things that come out of a box, but I don’t think that really counts as cooking.  Spices are a mystery to me and though I know I like flavor, I don’t know how to incorporate it into my meals.

So why would I be stupid enough to write about a chef?  Well, first off, he showed up in my head that way.  My characters show up pretty much with names and occupations intact and I don’t have much say in the matter.  Secondly, I think chefs are hot.  Who needs a third reason when you have reason two?

I’ve read books and watched movies set in restaurants and I’m an avid Top Chef watcher.  But I know that isn’t going to be enough to really write a busy restaurant kitchen scene and make it come to life.  My goal was to find some restaurant that would allow me to hover in a back corner out of the way and just observe.  And by some miracle, I’m actually going to meet that goal and then some.

Turns out, a friend of mine who also happens to be a writer (I know, big shocker!) has a nephew that owns a restaurant in Richmond.  She’s willing to take me up there, introduce me to her nephew (who is about my age, single, and supposedly looks like Tom Cruise), and get me a seat in the corner of the kitchen.  Also by some miracle, this restaurant serves the exact kind of food I’ve already written into the story.  I mean, come on, this is too good to be true!

Have you ever created a situation in a book then realized you didn’t know a thing about it?  How far have you gone for research?  How far would you go?  If you’re a reader, what book took you to a place or taught you about an occupation or hobby and made you feel like you were right there doing everything with the characters?